spahi
An Ottoman cavalryman, especially as recruited under a land-based systemAn Ottoman (Turkish empire) cavalryman, especially as recruited under a land-based system.
Meaning
2 sensesAn Ottoman (Turkish empire) cavalryman, especially as recruited under a land-based system.
2001, Orhan Pamuk, My Name Is Red, tr. Erdağ M Göknar I hear that the great Sadiki Bey illustrated a copy of Strange Creatures, commissioned by an Uzbek spahi cavalryman, for only forty gold pieces.
A soldier in a mainly Arab-recruited cavalry (originally horse, later light armored) regiment in French colonial service in (former/ in name still) Ottoman North African provinces.
Origin
From French spahi, from Ottoman Turkish سپاهی (sipahi), from Classical Persian سِپَاهِی (sFrom French spahi, from Ottoman Turkish سپاهی (sipahi), from Classical Persian سِپَاهِی (sipāhī, “horseman, soldier”) (> sepoy), from سِپَاه (sipāh, “army”). Doublet of sepoy and sipahi.
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